Lukas. He set to work with
industry and put into practice all the lessons that poverty had taught
him.

He and his wife lived happily. Their greatest joy was Marishka, a
little girl so charming and so pretty that every one loved her on
sight.

"Dear neighbor," all the old women used to say to the child's mother,
"that girl of yours will never grow up. She's far too wise for her
years!"

But Marishka did very well. She grew up into a beautiful young woman
and one day a prince saw her, fell in love with her, and married her.
So the old godmother's prophecy that Marishka would make a happy
marriage was fulfilled.

THE GOLDEN DUCK

THE STORY OF PRINCE RADUZ AND THE FAITHFUL LUDMILA

[Illustration: {A duck}]

THE GOLDEN DUCK

Once upon a time there was a king who had four sons. One day the queen
said to him:

"It is time that one of our boys went out into the world to make his
fortune."

"I have been thinking that very same thing," the king said. "Let us
get ready Raduz, our youngest, and send him off with God's blessing."

Preparations were at once made and in a few days Raduz bid his parents
farewell and set forth.

He traveled many days and many nights over desert plains and through
dense forests until he came to a high mountain. Halfway up the
mountain he found a house.

"I'll stop here," he thought to himself, "and see if they'll take me
into service."

Now this house was occupied by three people: old Yezibaba, who was a
bad old witch; her husband, who was a wizard but not so bad as
Yezibaba; and their daughter, Ludmila, the sweetest, kindest girl
that two wicked parents ever had.

"Good day to you all," Raduz said, as he stepped into the house and
bowed.

"The same to you," old Yezibaba answered. "What brings you here?"

"I'm looking for work and I thought you might have something for me to
do."

"What can you do?" Yezibaba asked.

"I'll do anything you set me to. I'm trustworthy and industrious."

Yezibaba didn't want to take him, but the old man wanted him and in
the end Yezibaba with very ill grace consented to give him a trial.

He rested that night and early next morning presented himself to the
old witch and said:

"What work am I to do today, mistress?"

Yezibaba looked him over from head to foot. Then she took him to a
window and said: "What do you see out there?"

"I see a rocky hillside."

"Good. Go to that rocky hillside, cultivate it, plant it in trees that
wil